Select Your Pool Cue Weight

So how do you determine what weight cue you should play with? Some people select their pool cue weight based on what their favorite professional player uses. That’s not a good idea because the weight depends heavily on your own abilities. You should select a pool cue weight based on your personal abilities.

Typically the range for pool cues is 18, 19, 20 and 21 ounces, with 1/2 ounce intervals in-between. That’s the standard scale that every pool cue manufacturer uses. Of course, there are exceptions to this and some cues may be lighter than 18 ounces or heaver than 21 ounces. For the most part, 18 – 21 ounces is standard for pool cue weights.

If you use a lighter cue weight, like 18 or 19 ounces, then the object ball will go into the pocket slow and the cue ball will be really lively. This is because you create more snap with a lighter cue stick.

If you use a heaver cue weight like a 21 ounce cue, the object ball goes into the pocket faster and the cue ball is more lethargic. This is because you have more weight to hit with and there won’t be as much snap.

If you’re having trouble drawing the ball, then it’s possible your cue is too heavy. If you have trouble controlling the cue ball, maybe your cue is too light. It’s also worth keeping in mind that pool cue weights can always be changed later on. They’re not always set to an exact weight; they’ve got a weight bolt that can be removed and changed.

Most people start with a 19 ounce or a 20 ounce cue. Those weights are in a sweet spot for most players so, if you’re still totally unsure what cue weight to get, get a 19 ounce. As you play with it, you’ll begin to get a feel for your particular play style and your local pool cue repair shop can adjust the weight when you’re ready to change it up.